Portable computing device

ABSTRACT

A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/276,015 filed Oct. 18, 2011 which claims priority to:

-   -   (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/394,037 filed        Oct. 18, 2010 by Degner et al; and    -   (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/275,724 filed        Oct. 19, 2010 by Degner et al; and is a continuation in part of:    -   (iii) PCT Application PCT/US2011/047796 filed Aug. 15, 2011        which in turn claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.        No. 12/894,437 filed Sep. 30, 2010, entitled “HIGH SPEED CARD        CONNECTOR” by Abraham.

This patent application is also related to and incorporates by referencein their entireties and for all purposes the following co-pending patentapplications:

-   -   (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/714,737 (APL1P620)        entitled “INTEGRATED FRAME BATTERY CELL” by Murphy et al., and        filed Mar. 1, 2010;    -   (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/552,857 (APL1P594)        entitled “CENTRIFUGUAL BLOWER WITH NON-UNIFORM BLADE SPACING” by        Duke, and filed Sep. 2, 2009;    -   (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/620,299 (APL1P597)        entitled “HEAT REMOVAL IN COMPACT COMPUTING SYSTEMS” by Degner        et al., and filed Nov. 17, 2009;    -   (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,922 (APL1P601)        entitled “COMPUTER HOUSING” by Raff et al., and filed Oct. 16,        2009; and    -   (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/712,102 (APL1P619)        entitled “STACKED METAL AND ELASTOMERIC DOME FOR KEY SWITCH” by        Niu et al., and filed Feb. 24, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to portable computing devices.More particularly, the present embodiments relate to enclosures ofportable computing systems and methods of assembling portable computingdevices.

BACKGROUND

The outward appearance of a portable computing system, including itsdesign and its heft, is important to a user of the portable computingsystem, as the outward appearance contributes to the overall impressionthat the user has of the portable computing system. At the same time,the assembly of the portable computing system is also important to theuser, as a durable assembly will help extend the overall life of theportable computing system and will increase its value to the user.

One design challenge associated with the manufacture of portablecomputing systems is the design of the outer enclosures used to housethe various internal computing components. This design challengegenerally arises from a number conflicting design goals that include thedesirability of making the outer enclosure or housing lighter andthinner, of making the enclosure stronger, and of making the enclosureaesthetically pleasing, among other possible goals. Lighter housings orenclosures tend to be more flexible and therefore have a greaterpropensity to buckle and bow, while stronger and more rigid enclosurestend to be thicker and carry more weight. Unfortunately, increasedweight may lead to user dissatisfaction with respect to reducedportability, while bowing may damage internal parts or lead to otherfailures. Further, few consumers desire to own or use a device that isperceived to be ugly or unsightly. Due to such considerations, portablecomputing system enclosure materials are typically selected to providesufficient structural rigidity while also meeting weight constraints,with any aesthetic appeal being worked into materials that meet theseinitial criteria.

As such, outer enclosures or housings for portable computing systems areoften made from aluminum, steel and other inexpensive yet sturdy metalshaving a suitable thickness to achieve both goals of low weight and highstructural rigidity. The use of metal enclosures is also convenient fromthe standpoint of providing a ready electrical ground and/or a readyradio frequency (“RF”) or electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shieldfor the processor and other electrical components of the computingdevice, since a metal enclosure or outer housing can readily be used forsuch functions.

Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide portable computing systemthat is aesthetically pleasing and lightweight, and durable. It wouldalso be beneficial to provide methods for assembling the portablecomputing system.

SUMMARY

The present application describes various embodiments regarding systemsand methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computingdevice having a wedge shaped profile and an associated high speed memorycard and card connector. This can be accomplished at least in partthrough the use of a wedge shaped outer housing and specially designedinner components arranged to fit and operate within this housing. Suchcomponents include a high speed memory card and associated cardconnector that utilizes contacts having short signal paths, as well as aground plane split into multiple portions. In one aspect of the providedembodiments, the computing device takes the form of a laptop computer.

In various embodiments, a portable computing device can include a baseportion formed from a lightweight material and including a wedge shapedtop case coupled to a bottom case to form a complete housing for atleast a portion of the portable computing device, the complete housingenclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a pluralityof structural components. The portable computing device can also includea lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hingeassembly, the lid portion having a display in communication with one ormore of the components in the base portion.

The hinge assembly can have one or more electrical conductors thatelectrically couple the lid portion to the base portion, and can alsoinclude a hollow clutch having an annular outer region and a centralbore region surrounded by the annular outer region. The central boreregion permits the passage of and provides support for the one or moreelectrical conductors. The hinge assembly can also include a firstfastening component that facilitates the coupling of the hollow clutchto the base portion, and also a second fastening component thatfacilitates the coupling of the hollow clutch to the lid portion,wherein at least one of the first and second fastening components isintegrally formed with the hollow clutch.

In various embodiments, the portable computing device, which can be alaptop computer, can also include one or more user input componentslocated on the base portion, with the base portion defining a wedgeshape such that the one or more user input components are presented atan angle to a user of the portable computing device. The user inputs caninclude a keyboard, a touch pad, or both.

In various embodiments, the portable computing device can include as oneof the operational components a laterally configured, small Z stacksolid state memory device or module. In some embodiments, the memorymodule can be a stand alone device. The memory device or module caninclude a substrate, a plurality of memory devices arranged linearly onthe substrate, and a controller linearly arranged in accordance with theplurality of the memory devices and arranged to provide control signalsto the memory devices. This solid state memory device can include a setof eighteen contacts located along one edge of the substrate, thecontacts being adapted to interface with a respective connector coupledto a motherboard of the portable computing device.

Other apparatuses, methods, features and advantages of the inventionwill be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only toprovide examples of possible structures and arrangements for thedisclosed inventive apparatuses and methods for providing portablecomputing devices. These drawings in no way limit any changes in formand detail that may be made to the invention by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Theembodiments will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1-6 show representative views of a portable computing system inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows an external view of a bottom case in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows an internal view of the bottom case shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show an exterior view of top case illustrating variousopenings used to accommodate a keyboard and a touchpad in accordancewith the described embodiments.

FIGS. 10 a through 10 c show a top case and feature plate assembly inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b show an embodiment of a tamper resistant fastenerthat can be used to secure the top case and the bottom case of theportable computing device in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows a portable computing system with a bottom case and thebattery removed to reveal various internal components and structures inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 13 a through 13 d show a representative compact thermal module inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show board to board connectors with anti-angulationdevices in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates openings used to aid in promoting good cable dressin accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows an expanded view of region of a keyboard/track pad circuitthat can include various keyboards and touch pad processing componentsin accordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b show cable straps used to secure cables inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 18 shows representative cable secured by cable straps of FIG. 17 a.

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of a battery assembly in accordance withthe described embodiments.

FIG. 20 shows specific mirror image configuration of a framed batteryarrangement in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 21 a through 21 d show an SSD memory module in perspective, side,bottom and top views respectively in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 22 a shows in side view an alternative SSD memory module havingmemory chips on both sides thereof in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 22 b shows in close up view the contacts of an SSD memory module inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 23 shows in top perspective view a connector in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

FIG. 24 shows in bottom perspective view a connector in accordance withthe described embodiments.

FIG. 25 shows a daughter or optional card inserted into a connector inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 26 shows in top view a connector in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 27 shows in cross-sectional view a connector receptacle inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 28 shows a detail of a portion of a top of a connector inaccordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 29 shows in front view a connector in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 30 shows in side view a connector in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 31 shows a detail of a side view in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 32 shows a bottom view of a connector in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

FIG. 33 shows a flowchart detailing a process in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

FIG. 34 is a perspective drawing of a touch pad in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

FIG. 35 is a side view of a touch pad and its orientation relative tothe body portion of the housing in accordance with the describedembodiments.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the touch pad in accordance withthe described embodiments.

FIGS. 37 a and 37 b are cross sectional views of a dome switchassociated with the touch pad prior to and after a force input to thetouch pad in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 38 shows an exploded view of a touch pad in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

FIG. 39 shows an exemplary outer housing for a portion of a portablecomputing system is illustrated in side cross-sectional view.

FIG. 40 shows an exemplary alternative outer housing for a portion of aportable computing system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is similarly shown in side cross-sectional view.

FIG. 41 illustrates in close-up side cross-sectional view an exemplaryshoulder to trough interface region of the housing components of FIG. 13according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 42A through 42C, on exemplary way of forming a trough in a housingcomponent interface region are provided according to one embodiment ofthe described embodiments.

FIG. 43 shows a flowchart detailing a process in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary applications of apparatuses and methods according to thepresent invention are described in this section. These examples arebeing provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of theinvention. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known process steps have not beendescribed in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention. Other applications are possible, such that thefollowing examples should not be taken as limiting.

The following relates to a portable computing system such as a laptopcomputer, net book computer, tablet computer, etc. The portablecomputing system can include a multi-part housing having a top case anda bottom case joining at a reveal to form a base portion. The portablecomputing system can have an upper portion (or lid) that can house adisplay screen and other related components whereas the base portion canhouse various processors, drives, ports, battery, keyboard, touchpad andthe like. The base portion can be formed of a multipart housing that caninclude top and bottom outer housing components each of which can beformed in a particular manner at an interface region such that the gapand offset between these outer housing components are not only reduced,but are also more consistent from device to device during the massproduction of devices. These general subjects are set forth in greaterdetail below.

In a particular embodiment, the lid and base portion can be pivotallyconnected with each other by way of what can be referred to as a hollowclutch assembly. The hollow clutch assembly can be arranged to pivotallycouple the base portion to the lid. The hollow clutch assembly caninclude at least a hollow cylindrical portion that in turn includes anannular outer region, and a central bore region surrounded by theannular outer region, the central bore suitably arranged to providesupport for electrical conductors between the base portion andelectrical components in the lid. The hollow clutch assembly can alsoinclude a plurality of fastening regions that couple the hollow clutchto the base portion and the lid of the portable computing system with atleast one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with thehollow cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count areminimized

The multipart housing can be formed of a strong and durable yetlightweight material. Such materials can include composite materials andor metals such as aluminum. Aluminum has a number of characteristicsthat make it a good choice for the multipart housing. For example,aluminum is a good electrical conductor that can provide good electricalground and it can be easily machined and has well known metallurgicalcharacteristics. Furthermore, aluminum is not highly reactive andnon-magnetic which can be an essential requirement if the portablecomputing system has RF capabilities, such as WiFi, AM/FM, etc. In orderto both protect the multipart housing and provide an aestheticallyappealing finish (both visual and tactile), a protective layer can beplaced or formed on an external surface of the multipart housing. Theprotective layer can be applied in such a way to both enhance theaesthetic appeal of the housing and to protect the appearance of theportable computing system. In one embodiment, when the multipart housingis formed of aluminum, at least an exterior surface of the aluminum canbe anodized to form the protective layer.

The top case can include a cavity, or lumen, into which a plurality ofoperational components can be inserted during an assembly operation. Inthe described embodiment, the operational components can inserted intothe lumen and attached to the top case in an “top-bottom” assemblyoperation in which top most components are inserted first followed bycomponents in a top down arrangement. For example, the top case can beprovided and shaped to accommodate a keyboard module. The keyboardmodule can include a keyboard assembly formed of a plurality of keycapassemblies and associated circuitry, such as a flexible membrane onwhich can be incorporated a switching matrix. In one embodiment, thekeycap assemblies can take the form of low profile keycaps such asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/712,102 entitled“STACKED METAL AND ELASTOMERIC DOME FOR KEY SWITCH” by Niu et al. whichis incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, a keycap assembly can be used to replace a powerswitch. For example, in a conventional keyboard each of a top row ofkeycaps can be assigned at least one function. However, by re-deployingone of the keycaps as a power button, the number of operationalcomponents can be reduced by at least eliminating the switch mechanismassociated with the conventional power button and replacing it with thealready available keycap assembly and associated circuitry.

In addition to the keyboard, the portable computing system can include atouch sensitive device along the lines of a touch pad, touch screen,etc. In those embodiments where the portable computing device includes atouch pad the touch pad can be formed from a glass material. The glassmaterial provides a cosmetic surface and is the primary source ofstructural rigidity for the touchpad. The use of the glass material inthis way significantly reduces the overall thickness of the touchpadcompared to previous designs. The touchpad can include circuitry forprocessing signals from both a sensor associated with the touchpad and akeyboard membrane associated with the keyboard. Thus, separate circuitrypreviously used to process the signals from the keyboard membrane iseliminated.

The touchpad includes a dome switch for detecting an actuation of thetouch pad that is covered with a sealing mechanism. The dome switch caninclude an electrical switch. The sealing mechanism can protect theelectrical switch from dirt and moisture intrusion and hence, improvethe robustness of the electrical switch. The sealing mechanism caninclude expansion gaps into which the dome switch can expand when it iscompressed. During actuation, the use of the expansion gaps improves theforce feedback response associated with the dome switch and the overallaesthetic feel of the touch pad.

In the embodiments where at least one of the top case and bottom caseare formed of conductive material, such as aluminum, a good electricalground plane or electrical ground can be provided. The ability toprovide a good ground plane can be particularly advantageous due to theclose proximity of the operational components to one another in theportable computing system. Due to this close proximity, it is desirableto isolate sources of significant RF radiation (such as a main logicboard, or MLB) from those circuits, such as wireless circuits, that aresensitive to RF interference. In this way, at least the conductive topand/or bottom case be used to provide a good chassis ground that, inturn, can be used to electromagnetically isolate the circuits thatproduce RF energy from those components that are sensitive to RF energy.Moreover, by forming both top and bottom case with conductive material,the top and bottom case can be joined to form a base portion that canact as a Faraday cage that can effectively shield the externalenvironment from EMI generated by the portable computing system. TheFaraday cage like attributes of the base portion can also protect RFsensitive components from externally generated EMI.

In order to provide a pleasing aesthetic to the user, the shape of theportable computing system can have a profile that is pleasing to the eyeand to the touch. In the described embodiments, the multipart housingcan have a wedge shape. The wedge shape can be such that when the bottomsurface of the portable computing system is placed upon a flatsupporting surface, such as a table or desk, the angle presented by thewedge shaped housing (in particular the wedge shaped upper portion ofthe multipart housing) can present an easy to use keyboard arrangementand touchpad. In contrast to conventional portable computing systemssuch as laptop computers having a uniformly shaped housing with littleor no angularity, the wedge shape of the portable computing system canimprove user interaction with the touch pad and keyboard by presentingthe touch pad surface and the keycaps in a more natural alignment with auser's fingers. In this way, improved ergonomics can help reduce anamount of stress and strain placed upon the user's wrists.

Due at least to the strong and resilient nature of the material used toform the multipart housing; the multipart housing can include a numberof openings having wide spans that do not require additional supportstructures. Such openings can take the form of ports that can be used toprovide access to internal circuits. The ports can include, for example,data ports suitable for accommodating cables (USB, Ethernet, FireWire,etc.) connecting external circuits. The openings can also provide accessto an audio circuit, video display circuit, power input, etc.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-43. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

Portable Computing Device

FIGS. 1-6 show various views of portable computing system 100 inaccordance with the described embodiments. FIG. 1 shows a front facingperspective view of portable computing system 100 in an open (lid) statewhereas FIG. 2 shows portable computing system 100 in a close (lid)state. Portable computing system 100 can include base portion 102 formedof bottom case 104 fastened to top case 106. Base portion 102 can bepivotally connected to lid portion 108 by way of hollow clutch assembly110 hidden from view by a cosmetic wall. Base portion 102 can have anoverall wedge shape having a first end sized to accommodate hollowclutch assembly 110. Base portion 102 can taper down to a more narrowlyconfigured end arranged to accommodate inset portion 112 suitable forassisting a user in lifting lid portion 108 by, for example, a finger.In the described embodiment, the overall wedge shaped appearance of baseportion 102 can be created by the overall wedge shape of top case 106.Alternatively, a wedge shaped bottom case could provide a similarresult. Top case 106 can be configured to accommodate various user inputdevices such as keyboard 114 and touchpad 116. Keyboard 114 can includea plurality of low profile keycap assemblies each having an associatedkey pad 118.

Each of the plurality of key pads 118 can have a symbol imprintedthereon for identifying the key input associated with the particular keypad. Keyboard 114 can be arranged to receive a discrete input at eachkeypad using a finger motion referred to as a keystroke. In thedescribed embodiment, the symbols on each key pad can be laser etchedthereby creating an extremely clean and durable imprint that will notfade under the constant application of keystrokes over the life ofportable computing system 100. Touch pad 116 can be configured toreceive a user's finger gesturing. A finger gesture can include touchevents from more than one finger applied in unison. The gesture can alsoinclude a single finger touch event such as a swipe or a tap. In orderto reduce component count, a keycap assembly can be re-provisioned as apower button. For example, key pad 118-1 can be used as power button118-1. In this way, the overall number of components in portablecomputing system 100 can be commensurably reduced.

Lid portion 108 can include display 120 and rear cover 122 (shown moreclearly in FIG. 2) that can add a cosmetic finish to lid portion 108 andalso provide structural support to at least display 120. In thedescribed embodiment, lid portion 108 can include display trim 124 thatsurrounds display 120. Lid portion 108 can be moved with the aid ofhollow clutch assembly 110 from the closed position to remain in theopen position and back again. Display 120 can display visual contentsuch as a graphical user interface, still images such as photos as wellas video media items such as movies. Display 120 can display imagesusing any appropriate technology such as a liquid crystal display (LCD),OLED, etc. Portable computing system 100 can also include image capturedevice 126 located on display trim 124. Image capture device 126 can beconfigured to capture both still and video images. Display trim 124 canbe supported by structural components (not shown) within lid portion 108but attached to rear cover 122. Display trim 124 can enhance the overallappearance of display 120 by hiding operational and structuralcomponents as well as focusing attention onto the active area of display120. Data ports 128 and 130 can be used to transfer data and/or powerbetween an external circuit(s) and portable computing system 100. Lidportion 108 can be formed to have unibody construction that can provideadditional strength and resiliency to lid portion 108 which isparticularly important due to the stresses caused by repeated openingand closing. In addition to the increase in strength and resiliency, theunibody construction of lid portion 108 can reduce overall part count byeliminating separate support features.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-6 showing side views of portable computing system100. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows a rear view of portable computingsystem 100 showing cosmetic wall 111 used to conceal hollow clutchassembly 110 and at least two support feet 132 that can be used toprovide support to portable computing system 100. Support feet 132 canbe formed of wear resistant and resilient material such as plastic. FIG.4 shows representative front view of portable computing system 100illustrating the relative position of insert 112 between top case 106and lid portion 108. As shown in FIG. 5 illustrating a representativeleft side view of portable computing system 100 showing left side wall134 of top case 106 having openings that can be used to accommodatevarious data and power ports. For example, opening 136 formed in leftside wall 134 can be used to accommodate an Ethernet cable whereasopening 138 can be used to accommodate Magsafe™ receptacle 140. Itshould be noted that opening 138 must have a high aspect ratio in orderto accommodate receptacle 140 due in part to a relatively large platform142, or mesa that allows an appropriately configured power plug to moreeasily align to receptacle 140. In the particular embodiments describedherein, audio receptacle 144 and side firing microphone 146 can bepositioned on side wall 134. As shown in FIG. 6, right side wall 148 oftop case 106 can include openings 150 and 152 used to accommodate dataports 128 (such as a USB data port) and 130 that can take the form of,respectively, a video port such a DisplayPort™ type video port.

FIG. 7 shows an external view of bottom case 104 showing relativepositioning of support feet 132, insert 112, exterior of hollow clutchassembly 110 and fasteners 154 used to secure bottom case 104 and topcase 106 together. In the particular implementation described, fasteners154 can take the form of tamper resistant fasteners described in moredetail below. FIG. 8 shows an internal view of bottom case 104 showingopenings 156 used to accommodate fasteners 154. Moreover, fasteners 158can be used to secure device feet 132 to bottom case 104. Standoff 160can be used to provide support for bottom case 104 when attached to topcase 106.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show representative embodiments of top case 106. Forexample, FIG. 9 a shows an exterior view of top case 106 illustratingvarious openings used to accommodate keyboard 114 and touch pad 116.More specifically, openings 161 can each have a size and shape inaccordance with a specific key cap assembly. For example, opening 161-1can be sized to accommodate power button 118-1 whereas opening 161-2 canbe sized to accommodate a space bar. In addition to openings 161,opening 162 can accommodate touch pad 116. For example, opening 162 caninclude attachment feature 164 that can be used to secure the touchpad116 to top case 106. Moreover, as seen in FIG. 9 b showing the interiorof top case 106, several additional attachment features can be seen thatcan be used to secure both touch pad 116 and keyboard 114. In aparticular embodiment, keyboard 114 and touch pad 116 can sharecircuitry that can at least reduce an overall component count. Inaddition, notch 166 can be used in conjunction with hollow clutchassembly 110 to provide a more unified and integrated appearance toportable computing system 100. Attachment features 168 can be used towith opening 156 to secure bottom case 104 and top case 106.

FIGS. 10 a through 10 c show a top case and feature plate assembly 180.FIG. 10 a shows the entire assembly 180 in obverse perspective view,while FIG. 10 b is a close up view of a corner of the assembly. As shownin FIG. 10 b, a feature plate 182 is fastened to top case 106 by way ofnumerous rivets 184. Numerous components can be disposed between thefeature plate 182 and the top case 106, as will be readily appreciated.FIG. 10 c depicts a partial cross section of one rivet location offeature plate assembly 180, which riveting is accomplished in acomposite beam type manner. Feature plate 182, which can be a thin steelplate, for example, can be riveted at location 188 to an aluminumwebbing 186 that is situated between various keycaps (not shown).Webbing 186 can in turn be coupled to top case 106, or can be integrallyformed with the top case in some embodiments. Location 188 is preferablysized and shaped in order to accommodate a rivet that goes through aproximately placed location in feature plate 182.

Numerous advantages can be realized by way of having a feature plate 182that is riveted to a top case 106 by way of multiple rivets 184 toenclose various internal components therein. For example, thecombination of the top case 106 and a steel feature plate 182 can resultin the creation of an effective EMI shield, and even a Faraday cage typeshield in some embodiments. This EMI shielding effect is enhanced by theuse of numerous fastening points held together by rivets, which tends toseal off the internal components of the keyboard better than when fewerfastening points are used, such as in a screw or bolt type arrangement.This EMI shield then effectively isolates the keyboard in an EMI sensefrom various other components in the computing device, such as theprocessor located directly below the keyboard or any antenna that may beat the device.

As another benefit, using a rivet rather than other types of fasteningcomponents, such as screws, bolts and the like results in no need forthe fastening component to extend through the top case 106 or even thealuminum webbing 186 in order to affect a strong fastening ofcomponents. This is advantageous where a smooth and unbroken surface maybe desired on the outside of the top case or aluminum webbing. This isalso advantageous in that manufacturing riveting processes can besignificantly faster than similar screwing or bolting processes, in thatthe obverse side of the components being riveted does not need to beaccessed in some cases, such as that which is disclosed above. Anotherbenefit that can be realized by using rivets instead of screws is thatthe overall assembly can be thinner, particularly since there is nolonger a need to accommodate threaded structures or components, whichcan take up space.

While using rivets rather than screws or bolts tends to result in theneed for a greater quantity of fastening components (i.e., rivets),since each rivet location tends to be weaker than each screw location ina similar assembly, this can be countered by using a composite beam typeriveting arrangement for increased strength, and also a rapid rivetingprocess to obtain the benefit of a smooth and unbroken obverse surfaceon one side of the assembly being riveted. The use of rivets rather thanscrews can lead to simpler manufacturing processes that tend to savecosts, are faster, and can also result in the use of more fasteningpoints, which in turn leads to greater integrity in components that arefastened together more reliably. The overall feel of a riveted togethertop case, keyboard and feature plate assembly is also improved by usingrivets rather than screws, as the combination of components tends to bestiffer, more stable, and more affixed together as an overall assembly.

FIG. 11 a shows an embodiment of fastener 154 in the form of tamperresistant fastener 170 that can be used to secure bottom case 104 andtop case 106. In the described embodiments, tamper resistant fastener170 can be formed to have head portion 172 that includes shaped recesses174. The number and shape of recesses 174 can be widely varied. In thisway, the only authorized mechanism by which tamper resistant fastener170 can be engaged for insertion or removal is driver 176 shown in FIG.11 b. Driver 176 includes driver portion 178 shaped to correspond toshaped recesses 174. In the particular implementation shown in FIGS. 11a and 11 b, tamper resistant fastener 170 can include five shapedrecesses 174 (also referred to as lobes) such that tamper resistantfastener 170 can be referred to as pentalobe fastener 170. Therefore, inorder to properly engage pentalobe fastener 170, driver portion 178 ofdriver 176 must have a shape that conforms to that of pentalobes 174. Inother words, driver portion 178 must be shaped and sized to coincidewith the shape and size of pentalobes 174. Accordingly, only thoseindividuals having access to authorize pentalobe driver 176 are capableof properly engaging pentalobe fastener 170. In this way, the use of aninappropriately shaped driver can be readily detected by way of thelikely damage caused to pentalobe fastener 170.

FIG. 12 shows portable computing system 100 with bottom case 104 and thebattery removed to reveal various internal components and structures.For example, fan assembly 602 can be used to exhaust waste heat providedby heat transfer module 604. Heat transfer or thermal module 604 caninclude stages 603 and 605. Stages 603 and 605 can thermally andmechanically couple heat pipe 606 with heat generating components suchas central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics controller (GPU),respectively. In the embodiment shown, waste heat can be transferred tocoolant material (such as water) in heat pipe 606 and transported to finstack 608. Fan assembly 602 can then force comparatively cooler airthrough fin stack 608 causing heat to transfer from the coolant materialin heat pipes 606 to the cooler air that can then be exhausted by way ofrear vent 607.

FIGS. 13 a-13 d show an implementation of thermal module 604 in furtherdetailed views in accordance with the described embodiments. Thermalmodule 604 can include stage 603 and stage 605 (that can also take theform of spring stages) that can contact a top portion of integratedcircuits CPU and GPU, respectively. Stages 603 and 605 can have asubstantially uniform thickness and can act as a stage as well as beamand spring. Stages 603 and 605 can provide an efficient thermal heattransfer path between the CPU and the GPU and heat pipe 606. Thermalmodule 604 can have a low Z stack and therefore is well suited forcompact computer systems. In order to provide the efficient thermalpath, stages 603 and 604 can be formed of a material having superiorthermal and mechanical properties. The superior thermal properties canfacilitate the transfer of heat from the CPU and the GPU to heat pipe606. The superior mechanical properties can assure a good mechanicalcoupling between stages 603 and 605 and the CPU and the GPU,respectively. In particular, the application of sufficient pressure toform a good mechanical/thermal interface can substantially improve theoverall heat transfer characteristics of thermal module 604.

Referring back to FIG. 12, audio circuits 616 and 618 can be attached toan interior surface of top case 106 that can in one embodiment, portaudio from portable computing device 100 through keyboard 114. Touchpad/keyboard circuit 620 can be connected by way of flex 622 to MLB 612.Antenna cable 624 can be secured to top case 106 using cable ties 626whereas openings 628 and 630 (referred to as hammerhead openings shownin FIG. 15) can aid in routing cables 632 and 634, respectively. Boardto board connector 638 can include stabilizers to prevent pin to pinshorting when pins on board to board connector 638 are inserted intocorresponding openings.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 a and 14 b, board to board connector638 can have a number of pins 650 can be inserted into correspondingopenings 652 on connector 654 as a mated pair. In order to preventangular displacement when pins 650 are inserted into openings 652,plastic frame 656 can be provided. Plastic frame 656 can prevent angularmisalignments. Specifically, proud feature 658 on either end of plasticframe 656 can be placed into corresponding slots 660 on connector 654creating in essence half a piston on connector 638 forcing pins 650 tobe properly aligned with openings 652 prior to insertion. In this way,by combining plastic frame 656 with a pre-existing component, apotentially damaging event can be prevented.

FIG. 15 shows a specific implementation of openings 628 and 630 used toroute cables 632 and 634. Openings 628 and 630 can provide adeterministic way of assembling cables and ensuring proper spatialplacement and retention without adding parts. In the describedembodiment, openings 628 and 630 can be shaped to resemble a hammer headto accommodate cables 632 and 634. It should be noted, however, than anyappropriate shape can be suitable. In this way, without resorting toadding components, cable dress (i.e., the efficient layout and aestheticappearance) of cables can be enhanced. For example, openings 628 and 630in MLB 612 can assist in cable routing by providing a well defined pathfor cable placement that can assist in reducing unnecessary cablerouting reducing both time and expense in assembly.

FIG. 16 shows an expanded view of region 700 of IPD circuit 640 (alsoshown in FIG. 12) that can include various key boards and touch padprocessing components. Region 700 also shows keyboard tail 642. Theprocessing components can be configured to receive signals generatedfrom an actuation of a sensor, such as a membrane associated with thekeyboard and an actuation of one or more sensors associated with touchpad 116 such as a dome switch that can be configured to detect aposition and/or change in position of one or more objects on the topsurface of the touch pad, such as the tips of one or more user'sfingers. In one embodiment, the sensor can be constructed from a PETmaterial. The processing components can also include a keyboardinterface that can be configured to receive keyboard connector that canbe configured to communicate signals generated from user inputs receivedat the keyboard, such as signals generated via actuation of a membranesensor associated with the keyboard. After processing, the signals fromthe touch pad and/or the keyboard can be sent to the main logic boardMLB 612 by way of flex 622.

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b show representative cable straps 626 used to securecables such as antenna cable 624 as shown in FIG. 18. In particular,since certain cables can be difficult to route due to their size andresistance to bending, providing good cable dress for these types ofcables can be difficult and time consuming especially in the smallworking areas available in portable computing system 100. Therefore,cable straps 626 can provide an easy and efficient mechanism for quicklyrouting and securing cables such as antenna cable 624. The cable strapscan take many forms as appropriate for the particular cable andlocation. For example, FIG. 17 a shows a particular implementation of acable strap in the form of cable strap 626 having base portion 627A,body portion 627B and “tongue” portion 627C that can be used to routeand secure antenna cable 624. As shown in FIG. 18, in order to secureantenna cable 624, base portion 627A of cable strap 626 is firstattached to top case 106 and antenna cable 624. With base portion 627Asecurely attached to top case 106 and securing antenna cable 624, bodyportion 627B of cable strap 626 wrapped around antenna cable 624 suchthat tongue portion 627C is secured to top case 106 using, for example,adhesive. In this way, antenna cable 624 can be easily routed andsecured in a simple and efficient operation that lends itself to anoverall neat and clean appearance resulting in good cable dress. FIG. 17b shows another embodiment of cable strap 626.

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of battery assembly 800 in accordancewith the described embodiment. Battery assembly 800 can include a numberof asymmetrically arranged individual battery cells 802 enclosed in aframe shown in more detail in FIG. 20 and described in more detail inU.S. Patent Application INTEGRATED FRAME BATTERY CELL having Ser. No.12/714,737 that is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Batterycells 802 can be configured in a mirror image arrangement. For example,battery cells 802 a, 802 b, and 802 c on side 804 can have correspondingbattery cells 802 a, 802 b, and 802 c placed in a mirror arrangement onside 806 of battery assembly 800. In the described embodiment, batterycells 802 a can have different properties than 802 b or 802 c, and viceversa. Battery 800 can have a distributed battery management unit (BMU).In any case, by varying the size and properties of battery cells 802,battery 800 can be arranged to have a low Z stack that can conform to anoverall size and shape of portable computing device 100.

High Speed Memory Card and Connector

Referring back again to FIG. 12, memory device 610 can be used to storedata as system main memory. Memory device 610 can be a high speed memorycard, and can take the form of a solid state memory device such as FLASHmemory that can be connected to other internal circuits such as forexample, main logic board, or MLB 612 by way of a high speed connector614. In the described embodiment, memory device 610 can take the form ofa single layer of FLASH memory chips which in the described embodimentcan number four. However, it should be noted that any suitable number ofmemory chips can be used. In addition to memory chips, one or morecontroller chips can be included. Memory device 610 can be mounted toconnector 614 by sliding contacts or pins 615 shown in FIGS. 21 a-21 dinto place into connector 614 and then securing memory device 610 usinga fastener through opening 617. In this way, the reduced Z stack ofmemory device 610 can be improve overall system integration by beingable to use space would otherwise not be useable with a conventionallyconfigured solid state memory device. For example, the lateral stackarrangement of memory device 610 can be fitted in the space above systemmemory (not shown). It should be noted that in some embodiments, memorydevice 610 can have a dual sided configuration in which the memory chipscan be mounted to both sides of memory device 610. This arrangement canbe well suited by computing systems having somewhat more available spacethan the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

In particular, FIGS. 21 a through 21 d show SSD memory module 610 inperspective, side, bottom and top views respectively in accordance withthe described embodiments. As noted above, SSD memory module 610 caninclude memory chips 611 on one side whereas in other embodiments, thememory chips can be located on both sides of SSD memory module 610.Again, one or more controller chips 613 can also be used, and the card610 can also include one or more insulator regions 619. In theembodiments shown, SSD memory module 610 can be arranged in a “stick ofgum” arrangement wherein active components of SSD memory module 610 arearranged in a lateral fashion. In this way, SSD memory module 610 canhave a low Z stack and can therefore be placed within portable computingdevice 100 in areas that would unavailable to conventionally configuredsolid state memories. In particular, minimizing the number of componentsand placing the components in a space efficient manner, SSD memorymodule 610 can be accommodated in a region directly above CPU memorycreating a region of high component packing density.

Although a wide variety of shapes, sizes and dimensions can be used forsuch a high speed SSD memory module 610, various specific dimensions canprovide context with respect to the particular examples set forth inFIGS. 12 and 21 a through 21 d. For example, memory module or card 610can have an overall length (including the contacts/pins) of about108-110 mm, a width of about 23-25 mm, and a board thickness of about0.6-0.8 mm. More specifically, memory module or card 610 can have anoverall length of about 108.9 mm, a width of about 24 mm, and a boardthickness of about 0.7 mm. The maximum thickness for memory chips orother components located on the board can be about 1.4 mm at mostlocations on the card, although reduced maximum thicknesses may applynear the board edges. The maximum combined thickness of the module atall locations than is about 2.2 mm. Opening 617 can be in the shape of asemicircle having a diameter of about 6 mm.

Moving next to FIG. 22 a, an alternative SSD memory module having memorychips on both sides thereof is shown in side view. SSD memory module orcard 610 a can be substantially similar to card 610 above, except thatmemory chips 611 can be included on both sides of the card. Such memorychips on both sides of the module can all feed to the set of contacts orpins 615 located on one edge of the SSD memory module.

FIG. 22 b shows in close up view the contacts of an SSD memory module inaccordance with the described embodiments. Again, SSD memory module orcard 610 can include one or more insulator regions 619, as well as a setof contacts 615 located at one edge of side of the card. In someembodiments, exactly eighteen contacts 615 can be used, although it willbe readily appreciated that more or less contacts might be used for agiven application. In the specific embodiment shown, the eighteencontacts are separated into a first portion of six contacts and a secondportion of twelve contacts. These first and second portions or groups ofcontacts can be separated by a physical gap 615-0, which can be used tohelp facilitate the proper insertion of the module into a respectiveconnector. For example, gap 615-0 can be arranged to fit around a postor other physical stop inside the connector arrangement, such that anattempt to insert the memory module 610 backwards will not succeed.

In the specific embodiment shown, each of the contacts or pins 615 canhave a specific purpose or function. For example, starting from thefirst contact at the bottom of the second portion of twelve contacts,each of the contacts can have the following specific functionality:

PIN NUMBER SIGNAL 615-1  RESERVED 615-2  GND 615-3  SATA_HDD_D2R_P615-4  SATA_HDD_D2R_N 615-5  GND 615-6  GND 615-7  SATA_HDD_R2D_N 615-8 SATA_HDD_R2D_P 615-9  GND 615-10 TUTX 615-11 TURX 615-12 GND 615-13DAS/DSS 615-14 PRESENCE 615-15 Vcc 615-16 Vcc 615-17 Vcc 615-18 VccAlthough other contact arrangements and functionalities are certainlypossible, the foregoing specific configuration is thought to work wellfor the particular portable computing device disclosed herein.

Turning now to FIG. 23, various details regarding a high speed connectorfor use with the foregoing SSD memory module are provided in theillustration as shown in top perspective view. This figure, as with theother included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does notlimit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or theclaims.

Connector 1100, which can be identical or substantially similar toconnector 614 noted above generally, may include insulative housing1110, a plurality of contacts 1120, and shield 1130. This connector maybe mounted on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may bea motherboard, main board, multilayer board, or other type of board.Connector 1100 may be adapted to receive a card or board, such as adaughter or optional card or board.

Insulative housing 1110 may include front side opening 1112 forreceiving a daughter or optional card. Insulative housing 1110 may alsoinclude one or more openings 1114, shown in this example on a top sideof insulative housing 1110. These one or more openings 1114 may be usedto visually or otherwise determine that a card is properly inserted intoconnector 1100.

In this example, each of the plurality of contacts 1120 may include afirst portion 1122 and a second portion 1124. First portion 1122 mayextend away from a front of housing 1110. First portion 1122 may be usedto make contact with a contact or pad located on a printed circuitboard. Second portion 1124 may be approximately in line with firstportion 1122. Second portion 1124 may make contact with a contact on acard when the card is inserted into connector 1100. Each of the contacts1120 may also include a third portion (not shown) for mechanicalstability, as will be discussed below.

Shield 1130 may cover at least a top portion and a back portion ofconnector 1100. Shield 1130 may be used as a ground plane, where itconnects to one or more ground contacts on a card and one or more groundcontacts on the printed circuit board. Shield 1130 may be split into twoor more portions. In this specific example, shield 1130 may be splitinto three portions. Splitting shield 1130 into portions may improve thegrounding provided by shield 1130 by ensuring that shield 1130 comesinto contact with ground contacts on a card at three or more points whenthe card is inserted into connector 1100. In this specific example, oneor more portions 1132 of shield 1130 may be folded back under a topportion of shield 1130. With this arrangement, when a card is insertedinto opening 1112 of connector 1100, shield portion 1132 may press downon a top surface of the card, thereby engaging one or more groundcontacts. This action may also push contacts on the card into secondportions 1124 of contacts 1120 to form electrical pathways. Tabs 1134may be located on shield 1130 and may be used to connect shield 1130 togrounds on a printed circuit board.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide connectors havinghigh-speed paths between a daughter or optional card and a printedcircuit board. Specifically, first portions 1122 and second portions1124 of contacts 1120 may form short and direct paths over which one ormore signals and power supplies may travel. Also, these paths may beshielded by shield 1130, which may improve signal quality and allows forfaster data rates. By splitting shield 1130 into multiple portions,ground connections between ground on a card and a shield may beimproved.

Moreover, the short and direct paths provided by contacts 1120 may allowconnector 1100 to have a low profile. A third portion of contacts 1120may be used to provide mechanical stability. This third portion may beapproximately in line with first portions 1122, and parallel to a bottomof the connector 1100.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide connectors that improvethe reliability of the manufacturing process. Specifically, firstportions 1122 may be surface mounted contacts. These first portions 1122may be soldered to pads or contacts on the printed circuit board. Thismay allow for easy inspection of solder connections of contacts 1122 theprinted circuit board. Also, openings 1114 may allow for inspection toensure that a card is properly inserted into connector 1100.

FIG. 24 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a connector 1100 inaccordance with the described embodiments. This figure includesinsulative housing 1110, a plurality of contacts 1120, and shield 1130.Insulative housing 1110 may include tabs 1140. These tabs may be used toprovide mechanical support for connector 1100 on a printed circuitboard. Tab 1134 may be used to form an electrical connection betweenshield 1130 and ground lines or planes on a printed circuit board. Invarious embodiments, housing 1110 may be plastic or other insulativematerial. Contacts 1120 may be stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum,or other conductive material. Similarly, shield 1130 may be stainlesssteel, copper, brass, aluminum, or other conductive material.

While eighteen contacts are shown in this specific example, again othernumbers of contacts may be used. Also, while first portions 1122 areshown as extending from the front of contacts 1100, in other embodimentsof the present invention they may extend in other directions. Forexample, they may extend in a downward direction, or they may extendtowards the back of connector 1100. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, first portions 1122 and second portions 1124 of contacts 1120may be the same portion. Moreover, while shield 1130 is shown as havinga particular configuration, other configurations may be possible. Forexample, shield 1130 may not be split into multiple portions, while inother embodiments of the present invention; shield 1130 may be splitinto two or more portions. Also, while one or more openings 1114 areshown in top of insulative housing 1110, in other embodiments, theseopenings may be omitted, there may be more or fewer than two openings1140 and the openings may be provided elsewhere. Again, connector 1100may accept or receive a daughter or optional card, with one examplebeing shown in the following figure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a daughter or optional card inserted into aconnector in accordance with the described embodiments. This exampleincludes a connector 1300 receiving a daughter or optional card 1360.Card 1360 can be identical or substantially similar to SSD memory module610 or 610 a set forth in greater detail above. When card 1360 isinserted into connector 1300, contacts on a top of card 1360 may formelectrical connections with portion 1332 of shield 1330. Contacts on abottom portion of card 1360 may form electrical connections with secondportions 1324 of contacts 1320. Again, various embodiments may provide avery short signal path from card 1310 to a printed circuit board onwhich connector 1300 resides. Specifically, the signal path may includefirst portion 1322 and second portion 1324 of contacts 1320. Contacts1320 may also provide mechanical stability by including third portion1326. Specifically, third portion 1326 may extend into insulativehousing 1310. In this example, second portion 1324 and third portion1326 may extend into insulative housing 1310, while first portion 1322may extend away from the front of connector 1300. Second portion 1324and third portion 1326 of contact 1320 may be approximately in line withfirst portion 1322. Third portion 1326 may extend approximately parallelto a bottom of connector 1300.

FIG. 26 illustrates a top view of a connector, while FIG. 27 illustratesa cross-sectional view along the line F-F of the connector receptacle ofFIG. 26. Shown is a cross-sectional view of contact 1322 and shield 1332according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 shows adetail region G from FIG. 26 of a portion of a top of a connector inaccordance with the described embodiments. As shown, physical stop 1350can be used to separate the contacts into multiple groups. As notedabove, physical stop 1350 can also be arranged to mate with the gap615-0 in an associated memory card, such that the memory card cannot beinserted backwards into the connector.

FIG. 29 shows in front view a connector in accordance with the describedembodiments. FIG. 30 shows in side view a connector in accordance withthe described embodiments. FIG. 31 shows a detail region E from FIG. 30of a side view in accordance with the described embodiments. FIG. 32shows a bottom view of a connector in accordance with the describedembodiments.

Again, in these examples, illustrative examples of embodiment of thepresent invention have been shown. It should be noted that variations onportions of these connectors, such as insulative housings 1110, contacts1120, and shields 1130, and portions thereof, may be made consistentwith embodiments of the present invention, and none of these arerequired to have the particular shape, size, arrangement, or othercharacteristics shown in the figures in order for a connector accordingto an embodiment of the present invention to function properly.

FIG. 33 shows a flowchart detailing a process in accordance with thedescribed embodiments. Process 3300 can start at 3302 by providing abottom case and top case, at least one of which has a wedge shape. At3304, the bottom case is coupled to the top case to form a completehousing for a base portion of the portable computing device forenclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a pluralityof structural components. The base portion defines a wedge shape suchthat the one or more user input components are presented at an angle toa user of the portable computing device, and this wedge shape is aresult of the top case or bottom case being wedge shaped. At 3306, thebase portion is pivotally connected to a lid portion by a hingeassembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has at aplurality of components at least one of which is a display. At 3308, atleast some of the components in the lid portion are electricallyconnected to operational components in the based portion by way of oneor more electrical conductors that run through the hinge assembly.

Touch Pad

With respect to the following figures a number of features of the touchpad assembly are described. The touch pad assembly interfaces with afront of the body portion of the housing. The body portion of thehousing can be wedge shaped, where the tip of the wedge is in a frontedge of the body portion. As the tip of the wedge is approached, thevolume that is available for packaging the components that are installedin this region of the body portion of the housing can be decreased. Toaccommodate the decreased volume available for packaging devicecomponents near the tip of the wedge and to improve overall the packingefficiency of the body portion of the housing, the touch pad can bedesigned with a number of features that decrease the volume that it andnearby components occupy.

As examples, to provide a thinner profile, the touch pad can beconstructed from a material (such as glass) that serves as 1) cosmeticsurface for the touch pad and 2) a load bearing structure. Further, thesignal processing for the touch pad and the keyboard can be combined onthe touch pad. The combined signal processing can eliminate a separateprocessing component and a connector to the MLB associated with thekeyboard signal processing. The elimination of these components canimprove the packing efficiency of the body portion of the housing.

Besides packing efficiency, the touch pad can be designed to produce adesired aesthetic performance. The aesthetic performance can include a“feel” provided to the user as the touch pad is utilized. The touch padcan be configured to 1) detect a change in position of an object, suchas a user's finger over the top surface, and 2) detect a deflection ofthe touch pad resulting from a downward force exerted by the object. Thetouch pad can include a dome switch mounted on its bottom surface thatis activated in response to a downward force provided by a user on a topsurface of the touch pad. The dome switch can be sealed to preventmoisture ingress that can damage the dome switch. A sealing mechanism isdescribed that can prevent moisture ingress and provide a desiredaesthetic feel when the touch pad is operated.

In particular, the sealing mechanism can be configured with pathwaysthat allow a volume associated with the dome switch to remain somewhatconstant when the sensor is compressed during actuation of the touchpad. If the sealing mechanism was designed without these pathways, thenthe volume associated with the dome switch would be decreased duringactuation. The resulting compression of the volume can result in forcefeedback response during actuation that is aesthetically undesirable.

To illustrate the features described above, a perspective drawing of atouch pad viewed from a bottom surface is described with respect to FIG.34. With respect to FIG. 35, a proximate positioning of the touch padwithin the body portion of the housing is discussed. In FIG. 36, a crosssection of the touch pad at one location is shown and componentsassociated with the cross section including a design configuration thatcan help provide an overall thinner cross section are discussed. Withrespect to FIGS. 37 a and 37 b, a sealing mechanism for the dome switchand the affect of the sealing mechanism on the internal volume of thedome switch during actuation of the touch pad are described. Thesefigures are described with respect to the following paragraphs.

FIG. 34 is a perspective drawing of an embodiment of touch pad 116 inthe form of a touch pad 201 viewed from the bottom. A top portion of thetouch pad 201 is flat and is configured to receive user inputs. Thetouch pad 201 can be approximately rectangular shaped, although otheralternative shapes are certainly possible. The touch pad can include afront edge 221 a and back edge 221 b.

As is shown in FIG. 35, when installed in the body portion of thehousing, the front edge 221 a can be installed near a front 225 of thetop case 106. The touch pad 201 can be installed underneath a lipportion 223 a of the top case 106 such that is proximately aligned in aparallel manner with the lip portion. A top portion of the touch pad 201can form a portion of the outer surface of the body portion of thehousing. As described above, user inputs can be detected via the topportion of the touch pad 201.

A second portion 223 b of the casing can extend at an angle from thefront 225 to provide the wedge shape of the body portion of the housing.A portion of a battery 195 can be aligned proximately with the secondportion 223 b of the top case 106. Thus, the portion of the battery 195and the touch pad 201 can be orientated at angle relative to one anotherin their installed position within the top case 106.

Returning to FIG. 34, key board and touch pad processing components 210can be located near the back edge 221 b of the bottom surface of thetouch pad 201 between corner brackets 211. The processing components canbe configured to receive signals generated from 1) an actuation of asensor, such as a membrane associated with the keyboard and 2) anactuation of one or more sensors associated with the touch pad 201, suchas sensor 224 and the dome switch 220. The sensor 224 can be configuredto detect a position and/or change in position of one or more objects onthe top surface of the touch pad, such as the tips of one or more user'sfingers. In one embodiment, the sensor can be constructed from a PETmaterial.

The processing components 210 can include a keyboard interface 208. Thekeyboard interface 208 can be configured to receive a tail 204 (also inanother embodiment above as keyboard tail 642) from a keyboard. The tail204 can be configured to communicate signals generated from user inputsreceived at the keyboard, such as signals generated via actuation of amembrane sensor associated with the keyboard. In other embodiments, theprocessing components associated with the keyboard can be providedseparately from the touch pad 201 in which case the touch pad may notinclude keyboard interface 208.

After processing, the signals from the touch pad and/or the keyboard canbe sent to the main logic board (MLB) after appropriate processing byprocessing components 210. Moreover, processing components 210 caninclude an MLB interface 206 that can be used to allow a connector, suchas a flex connector, to be attached between processing components 210and the MLB. In one embodiment, the connector can be configured tosupport a USB communication protocol.

The touch pad 201 can include a tactile sensor (shown in FIG. 36 incross section as sensor 224) for detecting inputs. The sensor 224 can beconfigured such that it does not extend all the way to front edge 221 aof the touch pad 201, which can reduce the thickness of the touch padnear the front edge. An advantage of reducing the thickness of the touchpad 201 in this area is that it can be help the packaging design in thelimited volume near the front 225 of top case 106.

In one embodiment, to further reduce the thickness of the touch pad, aportion of the touch pad top layer 216 (that can be formed of, forexample, glass) can be removed near the front edge 221 a. The touch padtop layer 216 can provide structural support for the touch pad 201.Thus, an amount of touch pad top layer 216 that can be removed may belimited so as to not to compromise the overall structural integrity ofthe touch pad 201.

The touch pad 201 can include wings 214 a and 214 b. The wings 214 a and214 b are located on the sides of the touch pad 201. The wings 214 a and214 b can be located on the sides as opposed to near the front edge 221a of the touch pad to allow the touch pad to fit closer to the front 225of the top case 106 and allow the length of the lip portion 223 a to beshortened. If the wings were located on the front of the touch pad, thenthe front edge 221 a would be extended away from the front of the front225 and a longer lip portion 223 a of the top case 106 might berequired.

The wings can be used to keep the touch pad 201 in the body portion ofthe top case 106. An aperture can be provided in the body portion of thetop case 106 to expose the top surface of the touch pad 201 for userinputs. The wings can extend beneath structure in the top case 106 thatsurrounds the aperture. The wings can help prevent the touch pad fromextending through the aperture and possibly opening up a gap thatexposes an interior of the body portion.

In one embodiment, the touch pad 201 can include a stiffener bar 212.The stiffener bar can be used to increase the rigidity of the touch pad201. In one embodiment, the stiffener can be positioned across a bottomsurface of the touch pad 201 proximate to the wing locations 214 a and214 b. In other embodiments, the stiffener can be positioned at anotherposition. Further, touch pad is not limited to use of a single stiffenerand multiple stiffeners can be used. In yet other embodiments, the touchpad can be provided without a stiffener.

In one embodiment, a dome switch 220 is located near the front edge 221a of the touch pad 201. The dome switch 220 can be configured to detecta press actuation of the touch pad 201 towards an interior portion ofthe top case 106. As described above, after passing through processing210, a signal generated by the dome switch can be sent to the MLB viaMLB interface 206.

In one embodiment, the dome switch 220 can be located near the centerportion of the lower surface of the touch pad 201. In other embodiments,the dome switch 220 can be located in an off center position. In yetother embodiments, the touch pad 201 can include multiple dome switches.For example, the touch pad 201 can include two dome switches that arelocated near the front edge corners.

A sealing mechanism 218 can be provided over the dome switch 220. Thesealing mechanism 218 can be used to prevent moisture and othercontaminants from penetrating into the dome switch. In one embodiment,the sealing mechanism 218 can be designed to allow a volume associatedwith the dome switch to remain relatively constant during its actuation.As described above, the aesthetic feel of the dome switch 220 can beaffected if the volume of the dome switch 220 is decreased too muchduring its actuation. Further details of the sealing mechanism 218 andits interaction with the dome switch 220 are described with respect toFIGS. 37 a and 37 b.

Next, a stacked configuration of the touch pad 201 is described in viewof a cross-section taken at line 222 in FIG. 34. FIG. 36 is across-sectional view of the touch pad 201 proximate to line 222. The topsurface 230 of touch pad top layer 216 can be configured to receiveinputs, such as an input generated when a user's finger comes into acontact with the top surface 230. In one embodiment, the top layer 216can be about 1.1 mm in thickness.

A cosmetic layer 234, such as an ink layer, can be located beneath thetop layer 216. In one embodiment, the ink layer can be about 0.01 mm inthickness. The cosmetic layer 234 can be used to affect the overallappearance of the top layer. For instance, the top layer can be silvercolored to give the top layer a metallic appearance. In one embodiment,the pigments for the cosmetic layer 234 can be selected to match anotherportion of the housing. For instance, the pigments can be selected tomatch a metallic portion of the housing if the housing is comprised of ametallic material. In another embodiment, the pigments can be selectedto match a color of the keys in the keyboard, which can be a differentcolor than other portions of the housing.

A sensor layer 224 can be located below the top layer 230 and thecosmetic layer 234. As described above, the sensor layer 224 can detectinputs received via the top surface 230 of the touch pad. In oneembodiment, the sensor layer can be formed from a plastic material, suchas PET. The sensor layer 224 may be about 0.2 mm thick. The sensor layercan be bonded to the cosmetic layer 234 using a bonding agent, such as apressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The PSA can be about 0.05 mm inthickness.

As described above, a stiffener bar 212 can be optionally provided toincrease the structural rigidity of the touch pad. In particularembodiments, the stiffener bar 212 can be formed from a metallic orplastic material. The stiffener bar 212 can be coupled to the back ofthe sensor layer 224 using a bonding agent. In one embodiment, thebonding agent can be a PSA.

As described with respect to FIG. 34, processing components 210 can belocated near a back edge of the bottom surface of the touch pad. Theprocessing component 210 can be used to process signals from components,such as a key board sensor and/or the touch pad sensor. In a particularembodiment, the processing components 210 can be formed on a printedcircuit board (PCB). The PCB can be about 0.4 mm in thickness. In oneembodiment, the PCB can be mounted to the bottom of the touch pad, suchas to a bottom of the sensor layer 224 using a bonding agent.

Next, a sealing mechanism 218 for the dome switch 220 shown in FIG. 37 ais described. The dome switch 220 can be configured to detect an inwarddeflection of the touch pad toward an interior of the body portion ofthe housing. The inward deflection can be generated as a result of aforce input 250. The force input 250 can be generated as a result ofuser input, such as an input generated when a user presses down on thetouch pad. FIG. 37 a is a cross sectional view of a dome switch 220associated with the touch pad prior to a force input 250 and FIG. 37 bis a cross sectional view of the touch pad after a force 250.

In FIG. 37 a, the dome switch 220 is shown embedded in a recessedsurface of the track pad 201. For example, the dome switch can berecessed into a removed portion of the sensor layer and/or the top layer216. In other embodiments, the dome switch 220 can be mounted beneaththe sensor layer and the top layer 216 so that it is not recessed. Thedome switch 220 can be mounted using a bonding agent, such as a PSA. Thebottom of the dome switch 220 can be orientated toward a bottom of thetouch pad 201.

A portion of the dome switch 220 can be constructed from a flexiblematerial. The flexible material can partially enclose a volume of gaswithin the dome switch. For example, a bottom surface portion 252 can beconstructed from a flexible material that partially encloses a gasvolume within the dome switch 220. A portion of the dome switch 220 canbe covered with a sealing mechanism 218. The sealing mechanism 218 canbe formed from a material that is bonded to the bottom surface of thetouch pad 201 and a bottom surface of the dome switch 220 via a bondingagent. The sealing mechanism 218 can surround the dome switch 220. Inparticular embodiments, the sealing mechanism 218 can include one ormore apertures. A portion of the bottom surface of dome button can beexposed below the apertures 254 in the sealing mechanism 218.

During actuation of the touch pad, a portion of the sealing mechanism218 can be in contact with another surface. For instance, when the touchpad 201 is actuated in an inward manner towards an interior of the bodyportion of the housing, a portion of the sealing mechanism 218 can bepressed against another surface such that the sealing mechanism 218 andthe underlying dome switch 220 are compressed. As the dome switch 220 iscompressed, the portions 256 of the dome switch 220 below the aperturesin the sealing mechanism can expand. For instances, areas 256 of thedome switch 220 can expand. The expanded area can allow the volume ofgas contained in the dome switch to remain relatively constant duringcompression of the dome switch 220. During compression, the volume ofthe dome switch 220 would decrease and the pressure of the gas insidethe sensor would increase.

The additional force that can be needed to compress a fully sealed domeswitch can be undesirable from a user perspective, i.e., it can generatean undesirable aesthetic feel to the device. The apertures in thesealing mechanism can 218 allow the volume and hence the pressure withinthe dome switches 220 to remain relatively constant under compression.Thus, the force to further actuate the touch pad may remain relativelyconstant during actuation of the touch pad, which can provide a moredesirable aesthetic feel to a user of the touch pad.

FIG. 38 shows an exploded view of touch pad 201 in accordance with thedescribed embodiments.

Reveal Region

Turning next to FIG. 39, an exemplary outer housing for a portion of aportable computing system is illustrated in side cross-sectional view.Base portion 102 can include a top housing component 310 and a bottomhousing component 320 that are assembled together to form an internalcavity or region 330 that contains various internal computingcomponents. The top and bottom housing components 310, 320 can contacteach other around an outer circumference of the device at an interfaceor “reveal” region 302. The general form of the top and bottom housingcomponents 310, 320 at such a reveal region 302 can be substantiallysimilar all along the outer circumference where the top housing meetsthe bottom housing, although various customizations or anomalies canarise at certain points for certain features or reasons.

As shown in the close-up of reveal region 302, the top housing 310 abutsagainst the bottom housing 320 along contact area 342. Although itappears as just a line in FIG. 39, it will be readily appreciated thatcontact area 342 actually represents a region of surface area to surfacearea contact between the top and bottom housing components 310, 320. Theactual location of contact area 342 can shift along the respective fullsurface of top component 310 and can vary from device to device,depending upon the actual dimensions of each individual component anddevice. A gap or “reveal” 340 can exist between the top housingcomponent 310 and bottom housing component 320, with the size of thisgap and the offset between the top and bottom housing componentspotentially varying from device to device or production run toproduction run in the mass manufacture of device components. As will bereadily appreciated, the maximum and minimum dimensions of reveal 340and any offset between the top and bottom housing components 310, 320will depend upon various factors, particularly the dimensions andtolerances for the top and bottom housing components themselves.

Continuing now with FIG. 40, an exemplary alternative outer housing fora portion of a portable computing system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention is similarly shown in side cross-sectional view.Portable computing system lower portion 400 can similarly include a tophousing component 410 and a bottom housing component 420 that areassembled together to form an internal cavity or region 430 thatcontains various internal computing components. In general, lowerportion 400 is part of a portable computing system or electronic devicethat can process data, and more particularly media data such as audio,video, images, and the like. By way of example, the respective portablecomputing system can generally correspond to a device that can performas a music player, game player, video player, media center, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, handheld electronic device and/or the like.Internal cavity or region 430 can be configured to enclose any suitablenumber of internal components, such as, for example, integrated circuitsthat can take the form of chips, chip sets, or modules, any of which canbe surface mounted to a printed circuit board or other supportstructure. Internal components can include a microprocessor, memory,battery, and various support circuits and so on.

The top and bottom housing components 410, 420 can contact each otheraround an outer circumference of the device at an interface or revealregion 402, the details of which are somewhat different than the revealregion 302 set forth above. As in the above reveal region 302, however,the general form of the top and bottom housing components 410, 420 atreveal region 342 can be substantially similar all along the outercircumference of the device where the top housing meets the bottomhousing, although various customizations or anomalies can arise atcertain points along the interface region for certain features orreasons.

As shown in the close-up of reveal region 402, top housing 410 similarlyabuts against the bottom housing 420 along a contact area 442. Again, itwill be readily appreciated that contact area 442 represents a region ofsurface area to surface area contact between the top and bottom housingcomponents 410, 420, despite its representation in the cross-sectionalillustration as just a line. Unlike the former and simpler interfaceregion, contact area 442 generally defines a plane is at a non-zeroangle with respect to a horizontal plane generally defined by the lowerportion 400 or overall portable computing device.

In addition, the interfacing or contacting regions of top housingcomponent 410 and bottom housing component 420 are a bit more complex,which results in a gap or reveal 440 that tends to be smaller and moreconsistent than the gap 340 in the foregoing version with respect to themass production of portable computing systems. In particular, tophousing component 410 has a trough 412 that is formed along itsinterfacing edge, with a shoulder 422 that rises along a back portion ofthe trough. As shown, the shoulder 422 has at its top surface aninterfacing edge or first contact surface that contacts an upper surfaceor second contact surface of the bottom housing component 420 at contactarea 442.

The design of both reveal regions 302, 402 generally allow for variancesin the actual dimensions from component to component and device todevice in a mass production or interchangeable parts setting withoutunduly compromising the aesthetic integrity and appeal of the overallproduct. The design of the trough 412 and shoulder 422 to bottom housingcomponent interface 442 between the top and bottom housing components410, 420 of reveal region 402 is superior, however, in that both theoverall maximum size of and the variances in gap 440 and any resultingoffset between housing components are reduced. That is, while someamount of gap or reveal 440 can generally be expected when differentparts having varying dimension tolerances are assembled in a massproduction environment, the trough 412 and shoulder 422 to bottomhousing interfacing design disclosed herein reduces the overall size andvariances in the gap without requiring any tightening in the dimensionaltolerances of top and bottom housings 410, 420.

FIG. 41 illustrates in close-up side cross-sectional view an exemplaryshoulder to trough interface region of the housing components of FIG. 40according to one embodiment of the present invention. Again, revealregion 402 depicts a top housing component 410 having a trough and ashoulder, as well as a bottom housing component 420 having an uppersurface that interfaces with the top surface of the shoulder. Actualcontact between the top and bottom housing components 410, 420 is alongcontact area 442. As will be readily appreciated, the actual location ofthe leading/visible edge 424 of bottom housing 420 depends on the actualsize and dimensions (e.g., length, height, thickness, etc.) of the topand bottom housing components 410, 420. In some part combinations,leading edge 424 will be located right in the middle of a tolerancespectrum resulting in gap or reveal 440.

Other part combinations with different parts may have slightly differentdimensions that still remain within manufacturing tolerances. Suchcombinations that still include parts that are in tolerance could resultin a leading edge placement that is advanced as far as leading edgeprofile 424A, or alternatively could result in a leading edge placementthat is recessed as far as leading edge profile 424B. As will beunderstood, advanced leading edge profile 424A results in a smallerreveal 440 and an offset where the outer surface of bottom housingcomponent 420 is raised above the surface of top housing component 410,while recessed leading edge profile 424B results in a greater reveal 440and an offset where the outer surface of the bottom housing is sunkbelow the outer surface of the top housing. As will also be readilyappreciated, varying one or more dimensions in the size of the tophousing component or bottom housing component can result in a differentportion of the upper contact surface of the bottom case contacting thecontact surface of the shoulder along contact area 422.

Given the design of the trough and shoulder arrangement, however, themaximum, minimum and consistency values for the gap or reveal 440 andoffset are improved without any change in the part or componenttolerances. Again, the reduction in the maximum and minimum gap andoffset sizes results in a final product that is more consistent fromdevice to device and between production runs, which results in improvedaesthetic qualities and perceptions.

Moving next to FIGS. 42A through 42C, on exemplary way of forming atrough and shoulder in a housing component interface region is providedaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. Beginning withFIG. 42A, an exemplary initial tooling arrangement designed to initiatethe formation of a trough in a top housing component is shown in sidecross-sectional view. Initial tooling arrangement 500 includes apartially formed top housing component 410 and a suitable cutting orshaping tool 510. Cutting tool 510 can be any of a number of tools, suchas a saw, drill, router or the like. As shown, cutting tool 510 can beused to form a general trough or trough in a region of the top housingcomponent 410.

After the initial trough is formed, FIG. 42B illustrates an exemplarysecondary tooling arrangement designed to finish the trough and shoulderformation. Subsequent tooling formation 502 includes the top housingcomponent 410 with the initially formed trough and a suitable secondarycutting or shaping tool 520. Secondary tool 520 can be used to shave,cut or otherwise remove an extended portion on the shoulder, such that asuitable interfacing surface is formed at the top surface of theshoulder. This interfacing surface is important, in that this is thesurface that will eventually form the contact area 442 with the bottomhousing component. Similar to the foregoing, secondary tool 520 can beany of a number of tools, such as a saw, drill, router, plane, blade orthe like.

Lastly, FIG. 42C illustrates in side cross-sectional view the trough andshoulder of the top housing component of FIG. 42B as contacting thesurface of a suitably formed bottom housing component. Formation 504includes a top housing component 410 and a bottom housing component 420having suitable interfacing regions. In particular, top housing 410 hasfinished trough and shoulder regions and is configured to contact bottomhousing component 420 at contact area 442. As noted above, this resultsin a gap or reveals 440 that are smaller and more consistent in sizefrom device to device.

FIG. 43 shows a flowchart detailing a process in accordance with thedescribed embodiments. Process 1600 can start at 1602 by providing abase portion that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having atrough formed at an interfacing edge thereof, wherein the troughincludes a raised shoulder portion having a first contact surface, and abottom case. At 1604, the bottom case is coupled to the top case to forma complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computingdevice for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components anda plurality of structural components. At 1606, the base portion ispivotally connected to a lid portion by a hinge assembly. In thedescribed embodiments, the lid portion has at a plurality of componentsat least one of which is a display. At 1608, at least some of thecomponents in the lid portion are electrically connected to operationalcomponents in the based portion by way of or more electrical conductorsthat run through the hinge assembly.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, itwill be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied innumerous other specific variations and embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Certainchanges and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood thatthe invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but ratheris to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A portable computing device, comprising: a wedge shaped top caseformed from a lightweight material and arranged to present one or moreuser input components at an angle to an end user of the portablecomputing device, the user input components presented at the angle tothe end user comprising: a keyboard assembly, the keyboard assemblycomprising a keyboard having a plurality of user pressable key pads onlyone of which is a power on/off key pad, the power/on off key padarranged to power on/power off the portable computing device in responseto a user provided key press, and a touch pad located within andproximate a touch pad opening in the top case, the touch pad beingadapted to accept touch inputs from the end user of the portablecomputing device; a bottom case formed of lightweight material, whereinthe wedge shaped top case and the bottom case are secured to each otherby way of a plurality of tamper resistant fasteners to form a completehousing for at least a portion of the portable computing device, thecomplete housing enclosing at least a plurality of operationalcomponents at least one of which is a solid state memory module and aplurality of structural components; a lid portion, the lid portioncomprising a display assembly arranged to present visual content; and ahinge assembly, the hinge assembly arranged to pivotally connect thecomplete housing and the lid portion, wherein one or more electricalconductors electrically connect at least some of the operationalcomponents in the complete housing to the display assembly at least oneof which is carried in the hinge assembly.
 2. The portable computingdevice as recited in claim 1, the wedge shaped top case comprising: afirst end sized to accommodate the hinge assembly; and a tapered secondend narrower than the first end sized to accommodate an inset portionsuitable for assisting the end-user in lifting the lid portion.
 3. Theportable computing device as recited in claim 1, the solid state memorymodule comprising: a substrate having a top side and a bottom side; aplurality of memory devices arranged linearly on the substrate; acontroller linearly arranged in accordance with the plurality of memorydevices and arranged to provide control signals to the memory devices;and a set of contacts located along one edge of the substrate, thecontacts being adapted to interface with a high speed connector coupledto a motherboard of the portable computing device, where the set ofcontacts are separated into at least two groups by a physical gaplocated between the separated groups.
 4. The portable computing deviceas recited in claim 3, wherein the overall combined thickness of themodule at all locations remains less than about 2.2 mm, wherein theplurality of memory devices are arranged along both the top side and thebottom side of the substrate.
 5. The portable computing device asrecited in claim 2, the touch pad comprising: a glass layer having a topsurface adapted to accept the touch inputs from the end user, whereinthe glass layer is further adapted to provide primary structuralrigidity for the touch pad; a cosmetic layer located below the glasslayer; a sensor layer bonded to the cosmetic layer and adapted to detectinputs at the top surface of the glass layer; circuitry adapted toprocess signals from the sensor layer, and a connection interface thatconnects the circuitry to a main logic board on the portable computingdevice.
 6. The portable computing device as recited in claim 5, thetouch pad further comprising: a dome switch for detecting an actuationof the touch pad; and a sealing mechanism partially covering the domeswitch, the sealing mechanism including one or more apertures that allowa portion of the dome switch to expand into the one or more aperturesduring the actuation of the touch pad, wherein the dome switch isconstructed from a flexible material that partially encloses a volume ofgas within the dome switch, and wherein the volume of gas within thedome switch remains the same before and after actuation of the touchpad.
 7. The portable computing device of claim 5, wherein the glasslayer has a thickness that is not uniform across the entire glass layer,wherein the portion of the glass layer that is closest to the taperedsecond end at a front of the portable computing device is thinner thanthe rest of the glass layer.
 8. The portable computing device of claim5, wherein the touch pad further comprises: a keyboard connectioninterface adapted to connect the circuitry to the keyboard, wherein thecircuitry is also adapted to process signals from the keyboard.
 9. Theportable computing device as recited in claim 1, the keyboard assemblyfurther comprising: a steel feature plate used to support the pluralityof key pads; and an aluminum web situated between each of the pluralityof key pads, the aluminum webbing being integrally formed with the topcase and attached to the steel feature plate by way of at least onerivet.
 10. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of wings located along the sides of the touchpad and adapted to keep the touch pad within the top case.
 11. Theportable computing device as recited in claim 1, the top casecomprising: a trough and a shoulder formed around a circumference of thetop case at an interfacing edge thereof, wherein the trough includes afirst wall, a bottom portion, and a second wall that forms the shoulder,with both walls rising above the bottom portion to form the trough, andwherein the shoulder includes a raised portion having a first contactsurface.
 12. The portable computing device as recited in claim 11, thebottom case comprising: a second contact surface formed around acircumference of the bottom case with at least a portion of the secondcontact surface contacting the first contact surface, and a leading edgethat is spaced apart from both the first wall and bottom of the troughby gaps there between, wherein the area of contact between the first andsecond contact surfaces defines a plane that is non-parallel to ahorizontal plane generally defined by the portable computing device. 13.The portable computing device as recited in claim 12, wherein the gapbetween the leading edge of the bottom case and the first wall of thetrough ranges from about 0.11 to 0.62 inches.
 14. The portable computingdevice as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of batterycells in a mirror image arrangement in proximity to the bottom case. 15.The portable computing device as recited in claim 14 wherein theplurality of battery cells includes battery cells of different sizes.16. The portable computing device as recited in claim 15, wherein theplurality of battery cells are coupled to and controlled by a batterymanagement unit (BMU).
 17. The portable computing device as recited inclaim 16, wherein the BMU is a distributed BMU.
 18. The portablecomputing device as recited in claim 3 wherein the high speed connectorcomprises: an insulative shield arranged to cover at least a top portionand a back portion of the high speed connector and having a front sideopening for receiving at least the portion of the memory moduleincluding the set of contacts and at least one opening for visuallydetermining that the portion of the memory module including the set ofcontacts is properly inserted into the high speed connector, whereinwhen the insulative shield is connected to a ground contact, theinsulative shield acts as a ground plane improving signal integritybetween the memory module and components on a printed circuit boardconnected thereto.
 19. The portable computing device as recited in claim18, the high speed connector further comprising: a plurality of contactseach comprising a first portion used to make electrical contact with acorresponding contact on a printed circuit board, and a second portionaligned with the first portion arranged to make contact with acorresponding one of the set of contacts of the memory module when thememory module is inserted into the high speed connector to form a highspeed communication channel between the memory module and components onthe printed circuit board.
 20. The portable computing device as recitedin claim 19, wherein the insulative shield comprises a first portion anda second portion each of which is connected to one or more groundcontacts to improve the effectiveness of the resulting ground plane. 21.The portable computing device as recited in claim 20, the high speedconnector further comprising: at least one contact comprising a thirdportion aligned with the first portion and parallel to a bottom of thehigh speed connector, the third portion providing at least mechanicalstability to the high speed connector.
 22. The portable computing deviceas recited in claim 21, the insulative housing further comprising atleast one tab used to provide mechanical support for the high speedconnector on the printed circuit board.
 23. The portable computingdevice as recited in claim 22, wherein the at least one tab in includesconductive material used to form an electrical connection between theinsulative shield and a ground on the printed circuit board therebyimproving the effectiveness of the ground plane provided by theinsulative shield.
 24. The portable computing device as recited in claim23, wherein at least a portion of the at least one tab is formed of aninsulative material used to insulate the conductive material.
 25. Theportable computing device as recited in claim 1, wherein the memorymodule has an overall length ranging from about 108 to 110 mm, anoverall width ranging from about 23 to 25 mm, and a substrate thicknessranging from about 0.6 to 0.8 mm.
 26. The portable computing device ofclaim 3, wherein the set of contacts carry signals in the followingspecific order: CONTACT SIGNAL 1 RESERVED 2 GND 3 SATA_HDD_D2R_P 4SATA_HDD_D2R_N 5 GND 6 GND 7 SATA_HDD_R2D_N 8 SATA_HDD_R2D_P 9 GND 10TUTX 11 TURX 12 GND 13 DAS/DSS 14 PRESENCE 15 Vcc 16 Vcc 17 Vcc 18 Vcc


27. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: a low Z thermal module arranged to remove waste heatgenerated by a component in the portable computing device, the low Zthermal module comprising: a stage in thermal and mechanical contactwith the waste heat generating component, a heat pipe in thermal andmechanical contact with the waste heat generating component by way ofthe stage, the heat pipe arranged to receive and transport the wasteheat away from the waste heat generating component, and a heat exchangerin mechanical and thermal contact with the heat pipe, wherein the wasteheat generated by the waste heat generating component is transferredthrough the stage to heat cooler coolant material in the heat pipe, theheated coolant material being transported to the heat exchanger, whereinthe heat exchanger removes the waste heat from the heated coolantmaterial and returns the cooler coolant material to the heat generatingcomponent for further waste heat uptake.
 28. The portable computingdevice as recited in claim 27, wherein the waste heat removed from theheated coolant material exits from the portable computing device by wayof a vent located in a rear portion of the top case.
 29. The portablecomputing device as recited in claim 27, wherein the stage is a reducedthickness spring stage having a substantially uniform thickness, thespring stage acting as both the stage and a beam and spring.
 30. Theportable computing device as recited in claim 27, wherein the heatexchanger comprises a plurality of cooling fins arranged in a fin stack.